Device for checking and unchecking



(No Model.) G. .0. LOVEJOY.

DEVIGE FOR CHECKING AND UNOHEOKING.

No. 468,306. Patenped Nov. 17,1891.

V Ira-verifier;

@Z/QJRQQK Mme 5565 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON C. LOVEJOY, OF BE"HEL, MAINE.

DEVICE FOR CHECKING AND UNCHECKING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,306, dated November17', 1891, Application filed May 16, 1890. Serial No. 35Z,10 i. (N0model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLINTON O. LovEJov, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bethel, in the county of Oxford and State of Maine, haveinvented certain new and useful Iinprovements in Extensible Check-Hooks;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of harness check-hooks wherein thehook is secured to the end of a strap wound on a cylinder and controlledby a coiled spring. In these devices the checkrein is free to be pulledforward by the horse and is returned automatically when the pull on therein is released.

The object of my invention is toconstruct such a check-hook wherein thespring may be as long as possible, thus enabling the rein to be drawnout to a considerable distance and to provide devices by which the strapmay be released or retained in any position. To this end I provide acylinder whereon the strap is wound, having on its upper end a barrel oflarger diameter than the body of the cylinder and in which is coiled anarrow spring. On the lower end of the cylinder I provide a ratchetwhich is adapted to be engaged by a catch connected with a spring-leverand controlled by the rein.

I illustrate my invention by means of the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my check-hook in positionon a jack-saddle. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view with the casing removed.Fig. 3 is a section on a at of Fig.4, showing the catch and ratchet.Fig. t is a side elevation showing a portion cut away. Fig. 5 is a sideview of the cylinder, on which is wound the strap; and Fig. 6 is a viewof the lower portion of said cylinder.

B is a base, which is secured to the saddle A by means of a bolt g. Aspindle Z1 is secured to the center of the base B. On this spindle isjournaled the cylinder E, which is composed of a central portion, onwhich the strap F is wound, and an upper portion 6, of

larger diameter, in the form of a barrel, in which is coiled a narrowspring 6', secured to the spindle Z2 and the barrel. On the lower end ofthe cylinder is a ratchet e having square recesses in which the catch 6is adapted to engage. The catch e fitslthese square recesses in such amanner that the cylinder is prevented from turning in either direction.The catch 6 is secured to or, as here shown, formed as an integral partof a lever B, pivoted to the base B at b and having an extension on theend of which is a hook 11 The rein D is thrown over this hook to controlthe check-hook, as hereinafter pointed out. A pin 17 is fixed in thelever B and extends down through a slot 11 in the base B. A spring f isheld between two studs f and f on the under sideof the base B andpresses against the pin h The stress of this spring f tends to force thelever over and to press the catch a into engagement with the ratchet 6Two vertical pins Zr are fixed 011 the forward part of the base B, andbetween them passes the strap F, having on its end a hook J, adapted toretain the checkrein. A casing O incloses the cylinder E, and a nut c onthe upper end of the spindle 1) holds it in place.

The operation of my device is as follows, viz: The lever B is pressednormally toward the ratchet 6 as shown in Fig. 3, the catch 6 engagingthe ratchet. Vhen in this position, the cylinder is prevented fromturning and the check-hook operates in the usual manner. hen it isdesired to give the horse his head, the rein D is thrown over the hook band the hook is swung to the right, releasing the catch e The strap maynow be pulled out against the tension of the spring 6 and when releasedis again wound on the cylinder.

If it is desired to retain the strap at any given A point, the hook b isreleased when the strap is in the right position, and the catch cimmediately engages the ratchet and prevents the strap from winding uporbeingpulled out. The barrel portion of the cylinder, being of largerdiameter than the main portion whereon the strap is wound and beingabove or below it, as the case may be, is adapted to contain a very longspring, and hence provide for the extension of the strap to aconsiderable length.

I claim- 1. Ina harness chock-hook, a cylinderhaving a'body portion onwhich the strap is wound, a barrelportion of larger diameter on the endof said body, and a spring coiled therein for winding up said strap, incombination with the pivot on which said cylinder turns, a ratchet onthe lower end of said cylinder, and a pawl or lever for engaging saidratchet, said pawl 01' lever being provided with a hook whereby it maybe manipulated by the rein, substantially as described.

2. In a harness check-hook, a cylinder on which the strap is wound,abarrel on the end of said cylinder, a spring within said barrel forwinding up said strap, a ratchet on the lower end of said cylinderhaving square notches, and a catch having opposite working edges forentering said notches, whereby the cylinder is prevented from turning ineither direction, combined with a lever for operating said catch,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLINTON C. LOVEJQY. Witnesses:

S. W. BATES, E. T. FOLEY.

